HURON DAILY TRIBUNE, Bad Axe, Huron County, Michigan Local obituaries for the week beginning February 9, 2003 Contributed 2003 by Carol Morrison for use in the USGenWeb Archives. USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. Sunday, February 9, 2003 Edna C. Wakefield Edna C. Wakefield, 83, of Elkton, died Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2003, at her home. She was born March 28, 1919 in Greensboro, NC to the late Lee and Pearl Coltrane. After high school, she attended Greensboro College and received a bachelor's degree in religious education and elementary education. On April 7, 1944, she was united in marriage to Bruce T. Wakefield at the Glenwood Methodist Church in Greensboro, NC. They moved to Michigan a short time later in June 1944. He preceded her in death on Jan. 12, 1975. Edna continued her education at Central Michigan University for one year and then at Michigan State University, where she received her master's degree in education. She first taught at Owendale in 1959. In the fall of 1962, she came to Elkton where she taught second and third grade until retiring in 1980. She was a member of the Elkton United Methodist Church, Elkton Senior Citizens, Michigan Retired Teachers Association and the Huron County Retired Teachers. Surviving are her son, Fred Wakefield of Santa Ana, Calif.; daughter, Linda Griffin and her husband, Ralph, of Davisburg; five grandchildren, Jason, Erik, Amy, Michelle and Hannah; six brothers, W. L. Coltrane, V.E. Coltrane, L.E. Coltrane Sr. and J.L. Coltrane and his wife, Margaret, of Greensboro, NC; G.S. Coltrane and his wife, Becky, and J. Max Coltrane and his wife, Mozelle, of Kernersville, NC; brother-in-law, J.W. Thacker of Greensboro, NC. She was preceded in death by a son, Thomas; sister, Lala Thacker. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 10, 2003, at the Elkton United Methodist Church. The Rev. Pete Crawford, pastor, will officiate with burial in Colfax Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. today at the Champagne Funeral Chapel in Elkton and after 10 a.m. Monday at the church. Memorials may be directed to the church. The guest book may be signed at www.CFCelkton.com. Monday, February 10, 2003 – None Tuesday, February 11, 2003 Blanchard Bixler Blanchard Herbert Bixler, 82, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2003, surrounded by family at Scheurer Hospital in Pigeon. He was born to the late Erwin and Melvina (Eicher) Bixler on March 6, 1920 on their farm two miles north of Elkton in Chandler Township. He grew to love farming and it remained a passion throughout his life. On Aug. 10, 1946, he was united in marriage to Verda Armstrong at the Elkton Missionary Church. She preceded him in death on May 29, 2000. After Blanchard left farming as a full time occupation in 1960, he became a sales rep for Watkins products for a time and then became an independent insurance agent in 1965, but farming remained a hobby. He received great success as an insurance agent, earning many awards and honors for his hard work and perseverance and was always appreciated by his clients for his dedication to them. In later years, after retirement, he and Verda loved to travel, especially to places that were rich in history. He was a lifelong member of the Elkton Missionary Church where he served as an usher and Sunday School superintendent for many years. Blanchard is lovingly remembered and survived by his daughters, Carol Tuchschmidt and her husband, Ron, of Steamboat Springs, Colo., Jeanne Swartzendruber and her husband, Leland, of Bay Port, Joyce VanBruaene and her husband, Jim, of Wakarusa, Ind.; five grandchildren, Jason and Jim VanBruaene, Eric, Julee and Rachel Swartzendruber; his brother, the Rev. Virgil Bixler and his wife, Leona and his sister, Faythe Outcalt and her husband, Willis, all of Fort Wayne, Ind.; sister-in-law, Shirley Bixler of Carmel, Ind. He was preceded in death by his only son, Bruce, who drowned in 1969 at the age of 17; sister, Bernice; and brother, Leon. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2003, at the Elkton Missionary Church. The Rev. Reggie Courless, pastor of the church will officiate with burial in Riverside Cemetery in Elkton. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday at the Champagne Funeral Chapel in Elkton and at the church after 10 a.m. on Thursday. Memorials may be given to his church or the Alzheimer's Research Center at the University of Michigan. Friends may sign the guest book at www.CFCelkton.com. Jay Deman Jay R. Deman, 80, resident of Port Austin and former resident of Kinde, died Sunday, Feb. 9, 2003, at Health Source in Saginaw. He was born Aug. 22, 1922, in Kinde. Jay was married to Elizabeth McLeod Gottschalk on Feb. 22, 1968. Jay retired from Salvo Tool in Port Austin. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Port Austin Conservation Club and Historical Society. He and Elizabeth owned the Old Homestead restaurant in Port Austin. Jay is survived by his wife, Elizabeth "Dubby" Deman; step- son, John Gottschalk and his wife, Virginia, of Hemlock; three step-granddaughters, Karen Schmidt and her husband, Ben, of Lake Orion, Amy Schaeding and her husband, Steve, of Saginaw, Lisa Renas and her husband, Greg, of Freeland; four step-great- grandsons, Adam, Luke, Cody and Nick; brother, William Deman and his wife, Virginia, of Kinde; sister, Helen Ruemanapp and her husband, Norbert, of South Carolina; sister- in-law, Dorothy "Pat" Deman of South Carolina; one special aunt, Marie McLeod of Bad Axe. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Joseph and John Deman. Memorial Mass will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 14, 2003, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Port Austin. Fr. Robert Pare' will officiate. A Knights of Columbus Rosary will be at 8 p.m. on Thursday at the Gage Chapel in Kinde. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be offered to St. Michael's Catholic Church. Helen Meyers Helen Meyers, 83, of Pigeon, died Monday afternoon, Feb. 10, 2003, at Courtney Manor in Bad Axe following a two-month illness. She was born Nov. 29, 1919 in Caseville, daughter of the late Stephen and Paula Lakish. She was united in marriage to Fred L. Meyers on March 19, 1938 in Napoleon, Ohio. He preceded her in death on Nov. 21, 1983. Helen was employed as a waitress at the Scenic Golf and Country Club in Pigeon and other restaurants in the area. She loved the outdoors, animals and flowers. Surviving are one daughter, Karen Meyers, of Flint; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by two brothers, William Lakish and Frank Lakish; two sisters, Mary Titcombe and Kate Mills. The funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2003, at Meyersieck-Bussema Funeral Home in Pigeon. The Rev. Michael T. Sawicki, pastor of Salem United Methodist Church in Pigeon will officiate with burial in the New Bay Port Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday and from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the family discretionary fund. Lowell Sternberg Lowell Neil Sternberg, 64, of Sacramento, Calif., passed away Thursday, Feb. 6, 2003, from cancer surgery complications. He was born on June 26, 1938 in Harbor Beach to the late Arno and Alma Sternberg. Lowell grew up on a farm in Ubly. He was drafted into the army in 1958 and served in the reserves until 1964. It was his military service that brought him to California where he met his future wife, the former Marion Norcia, on a blind date. They were married in Sacramento on Aug. 6, 1960. Lowell worked for more than 40 years in the auto parts business. He could fix just about anything. He loved to tinker on cars and around the house. He also loved taking his trailer out on camping trips with his family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Marion; daughter, Wendy Carter of Santa Rose, Calif.; son, Alan Sternberg of Sacramento, Calif.; brothers, Wilton Sternberg of Birch Run; Victor Sternberg of Battle Creek; sister, Marie Green of Las Vegas, Nev.; brother-in-law, Vincent Matranga; sister-in-law, Josephine Matranga as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister, Berniece Sternberg of Bad Axe on Jan. 9, 2003. Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2003, at George L. Klumpp Chapel, 2691 Riverside Boulevard in Sacramento, Calif. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society, 1765 Challenge Way, Sacramento, CA 95815. Charles Eddy Charles A. Eddy, 79, of Gladwin, died on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2003. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2003, at Hall Funeral Home in Gladwin. Visitation will be conducted from 2 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home. Wednesday, February 12, 2003 Helen Baranski Helen M. Baranski, 84, of Bad Axe, died Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2003, at Sunny Acres Nursing Center in Bad Axe after a short illness. She was born Feb. 8, 1918 in Kinde, the daughter of the late Casmar and Mary Ignash. Helen was married on Oct. 3, 1936 to Floyd J. Baranski. He proceeded her in death on April 11, 1999. Helen enjoyed gardening and knitting very much. She was a loyal Detroit Tiger fan who loved to watch them on television or sometimes go to a spring training game. Helen and her husband, Floyd, lived in Venice, Fla. during the winter months for many years prior to his passing. Helen is survived by one sister, Gusta Sosnoski, of Bad Axe, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by two sons, Kenneth and Larry; three brothers, Harry, Raymond and Irwin Ignash; two sisters, Agnes Jaworski and Reta Koroleski. A funeral mass will be at conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2003, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bad Axe. Memorials may be offered to the Sacred Heart Church Food Pantry. Mary LeVasseur Mary Julia "May" LeVasseur, 94, resident of Bad Axe, died Monday, Feb. 10, 2003, at Huron Medical Care Facility in Bad Axe. She was born on May 25, 1908 in Pinnebog to the late John and Elizabeth (Carpenter) Bushey. She married Lloyd LeVasseur on Oct. 5, 1937. May enjoyed knitting and reading. May is survived by two brothers, Howard Bushey of Bad Axe, Richard Bushey of Florida; one sister, Flo Gilbert of Caseville; three grandchildren, Matthew Laurence Westerman and his wife, Lori, Martin Lloyd Westerman, Philip Raymond Westerman and his wife, Nancy; one great-granddaughter, Caitlyn Marie Westerman; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd; one daughter, May Lynn LeVasseur Westerman; six brothers, John, Warren, Max, Bernard, Tom, and Allen; six sisters, Blanch, Marie, Elizabeth, Marguerite, Ellen, and Helen. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 14, 2003, at MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe. Fr. John Killop will officiate. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be at St. Felix Cemetery in Pinnebog at a later date. Memorials may be offered to Queen of Peace Monastery, Box 370, Belcourt, ND 58316. Stephen Radomski Stephen A. Radomski, 78, resident of Marine City and formerly of Bad Axe, died Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2003, at home. He was born on Dec. 12, 1924 in Bad Axe to the late John and Bertha Radomski. He was married to Mary Ponus on Aug. 21, 1948. Stephen served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He belonged to the VFW. He enjoyed fishing and playing cards. Stephen is survived by his wife, Mary Radomski; two sons, Alan Radomski of East China and Steve Radomski and his wife, Donna, of Bad Axe; one brother, Joseph Radomski and his wife, Helen, of Filion; one sister, Mary Audia of Eastpointe; six grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14, 2003, at MacAlpine Funeral Home Gage Chapel in Kinde. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be in New River Cemetery in Port Austin. Thursday, February 13, 2003 Meryl Baker Meryl Baker, 95, of Bad Axe, died Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2003, at the Huron County Medical Care Facility in Bad Axe. She was born on Sept. 21, 1907 in Fargo to the late August and Martha (Werzel) Bubel. Meryl was a member of the Bad Axe First Baptist Church. She earned a teaching degree from Ypsilanti State College. She taught elementary school in Utica as well as Sunday school for many years. Meryl is survived by one son, Charles Baker and his wife, Mary, of Cheboygan; one daughter-in-law, Gloria Baker Armstrong; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; special friends, Linda Buss of Bad Axe, Brad and Ann Buss of Bad Axe, Patrick and Susan Buss of Oakland, Calif. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ansel; son, David J. Baker; and brother, Gordon Bubel. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14, 2003, at MacAlpine Funeral Home in Bad Axe. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be offered to the First Baptist Church of Bad Axe. Ray Heckroth Ray Charles Heckroth, 86, a Gotts Corner area farmer, died peacefully on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2003, at Huron Medical Center in Bad Axe. He was born to the late Charles and Minnie (Bleam) Heckroth on Oct. 28, 1916 at home on the family farm in Chandler Township where he was also raised. He continued to farm there until his retirement in 1995. On Oct. 7, 1944, he was united in marriage to Ruth M. Diebel at Elkton Evangelical United Brethren Church. He is survived and dearly missed by his wife, Ruth; three children, Carol Carter and her husband, James, of Portage, Alan Heckroth of Caseville, Roger Heckroth and his wife, Michelle, of Georgetown, Texas; six grandchildren, James and Jeffery Carter, Christopher, Nicole, Skye and Roger Heckroth; two sisters, Fern Faupel of Kalamazoo and Lola Reibling and her husband, Calvin, of Elkton. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2003, at the Elkton United Methodist Church. The Rev. Peter Crawford, pastor, will officiate with internment to follow at the Colfax Township Mausoleum. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. on Friday at the Champagne Funeral Chapel in Elkton and after 10 a.m. on Saturday at the church. Memorials may be given to the Elkton United Methodist Church. Friends may sign the guest book at www.CFCelkton.com. George Schulte George A. Schulte, 80, of Kinde, died Wednesday night, Feb. 12, 2003, at St. Petersburg General Hospital in Florida. MacAlpine Funeral Home Gage Chapel of Kinde is handling the arrangements. A complete obituary will appear later in the Huron Daily Tribune. Friday, February 14, 2003 Virginia Armstead Virginia Armstead, 76, of Harbor Beach, passed away Thursday morning, Feb. 13, 2003, at her home with her family and hospice at her side following a short illness. She was born on Aug. 22, 1926 in Siegel Township near Harbor Beach, the daughter of the late Frank and Martha (Miller) Cook. On Sept. 17, 1944, Virginia and Jack Armstead were united in marriage in Harbor Beach. Together they have traveled the past 18 years to Florida and Alabama. Virginia was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Harbor Beach. She is survived by her husband, Jack Armstead of Harbor Beach; daughter, Janice Schrader and her husband, Larry, of Ubly; three sons, Gary Armstead and his friend, Barb Ayrea, of Elkhart, Ind., Clarence Armstead and his wife, Shelley, of Midland, John Armstead and his wife, Sarah, of Lake Geneva, Wis.; nine grandchildren, Marc and Etseko Armstead, Kevin and Christina Armstead, David Armstead, Jessica Armstead, Bryan and Karissa Schrader, Janelle Schrader, Lisa and Valerie Ross and Stephanie and Kent Ross; one sister, Laura Pawlowski of Harbor Beach; sister-in-law, June Fealko of Harbor Beach. Virginia was preceded in death by a daughter, Joyce Ross, in 1981 and a sister Sylvia Lemanski; two brothers, Fabian and Edwin Cook; two infant brothers and an infant sister. Funeral services will be at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2003, in Ramsey Funeral Home of Harbor Beach with the Rev. Theresa Cutler, pastor of First Presbyterian Church officiating. Cremation has taken place at Sunset Valley Crematory in Bay City with interment in the Rockfalls Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until the services at 8 p.m. on Saturday in the Ramsey Funeral Home. Memorials may be given to First Presbyterian Church or Huron Memorial Hospice. Russell Boldt Russell A. Boldt, 79, of Harbor Beach, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2003, at Courtney Manor Nursing Center, Bad Axe. Born in Mt. Clemens on Jan. 9, 1924, he was the son of the late Albert and Ella (Bramer) Boldt. On Oct. 7, 1950, Russell and Evelyn Klug were united in marriage in Palms. Together they farmed in Sherman Township until his retirement. Russ was a guitar player and enjoyed playing music for others at weddings and special events. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Harbor Beach and Lutheran Laymens League. He was a former usher and choir member and was a member of the Farm Bureau. Russ is survived by his wife, Evelyn Boldt of Harbor Beach; children, Robert Boldt and his wife, Janice, of St. Clair Shores, Debbie Brown and her husband, Paul, of Flint; daughter-in-law, Connie Boldt of Harrison Township; six grandchildren, Michelle and Jarret Boldt, Micheal and Nicholas Boldt and Julie and Kurt Brown; brother Clarence Boldt and his wife, Geraldine, of Harbor Beach; sister Shirley Dimick and her husband, James, of Menton, Ohio. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2003, in Zion Lutheran Church, Harbor Beach with the Rev. Mark Girardin, pastor officiating. Burial will be in the Rock Falls Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. tonight at the Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach and from noon until the time of services on Saturday at the church. Memorials may be given to Zion Lutheran Church, Courtney Manor or Leukemia Foundation. Gerald Breathour Gerald J. Breathour, 82, of Harbor Beach, passed away Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 12, 2003, in the Harbor Beach Community Hospital. Born in Verona on July 5, 1920, he was the son of the late David and Dora (Hebner) Breathour. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the US Air Force. Gerald is a retired employee of the Hercules, Inc. of Harbor Beach after working for 37 years. On Sept. 12, 1970, Gerald and Eloise Villarreal were united in marriage. Gerald was a member of the Burhans-Hagedon Post 197 of the American Legion of Harbor Beach. Surviving are his wife, Eloise Breathour of Harbor Beach; step-son, Emery Beasley; step-daughter, Candace Beasley; two brothers, Harold Breathour and his wife, Helen, of Port Huron, and Beulah Breathour of Flint. Gerald was preceded in death by a brother, Edgar Breathour. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2003, in the Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach, with Fr. Gerald Kukla of Our Lady of Lake Huron Church officiating. Burial will be in the Verona Township Cemetery. The American Legion will present military honors. Visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. tonight and from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday at the funeral home. 1